NYPD: Suspect Sought In ATM Vestibule Assault

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Police are looking for a suspect who they said repeatedly punched a woman inside an ATM vestibule in Manhattan.

It happened around 9:40 p.m. on Nov. 11 at a TD Bank on Second Avenue near 31st Street in Kips Bay, police said.

The suspect was already waiting inside the vestibule when Elise Azcui, 19, walked in to use the ATM, police said.

Azcui had just gotten off of work at a restaurant and was at the ATM making a deposit.

After finishing her transaction, police said the suspect blocked her from leaving the bank and then punched her. The woman then fell to the ground and the suspect punched her several more times about the body, police said.

“He went and blocked the door and I told him, ‘excuse me’, twice and the second time he knocked me to the floor and began punching me a couple of times. I yelled and I guess he got scared away,” Azcui told CBS 2’s John Slattery.

He then fled without taking any of her property, police said.

Azcui suffered a black eye and a swollen face during the attack. She was treated at a local hospital and released.

The young mother told CBS 2’s Slattery that the attack was completely unprovoked.

“I think he’s crazy. I didn’t provoke him or call him names. Didn’t do anything. He could do it someone else if they don’t catch him,” she said, “I’m a little paranoid now. If you look sketchy I’m not going inside or anything.”

Other women in the area echoed Azcui’s thoughts.

“I mean anythime you go into an ATM you always look and see if anyone is around. Especially at night,” Samantha Fishbone said.

Police released photos of the suspect. He’s described as a man in his 40s with a beard who was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, gray jeans, black skullcap and black sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visit CrimeStoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.